A wallet manages keys; the shared ledger records transactions.
A signature, not a parcel
Sending bitcoin does not move a digital coin file from one device to another. A wallet constructs a transaction and uses private keys to authorise spending. Other participants check it against the network’s rules. An address is shareable; the secret used to authorise spending is not.
From broadcast to a block
Broadcast transactions can wait before a miner includes them in a block. Inclusion produces a confirmation; subsequent blocks build on that history. The appropriate confirmation policy depends on the recipient, amount and threat model. A “sent” notification in a wallet is not the same as a recipient accepting a payment as settled.
A better payment checklist
Verify the destination using a trusted channel, check the network, review the amount and inspect the fee before signing. For a new recipient, an independently checked small test may help catch an addressing mistake, but it does not make future transfers risk-free. Never send a recovery phrase to someone who claims to help trace a payment.
When a transfer seems missing
Start with the transaction identifier and a reputable explorer. Separate an unconfirmed transaction from an exchange that has not credited an already-confirmed deposit. The second case may require the receiving service’s support process rather than a second payment. Keep the transaction record and avoid anyone demanding another transfer to “unlock” funds.
Sources & further reading
Sources checked 7 October 2026. Source-linked explanatory content; not personalised investment advice. Found an error? Request a correction.
